Kelly Osbourne and Epilepsy Misconceptions
By John Curran
At least three million Americans suffer from epilepsy and many of them take seizure medications like Lamictal and Dilantin that have been linked to dangerous conditions such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. However, epilepsy experts argue that part of the problem with treatments and research is that many people don’t understand the disorder at all, which recently led to personal attacks against celebrity Kelly Osbourne on Twitter.
Osbourne has been a lightning rod for criticism, potentially because of her celebrity, and the public took to her Twitter account recently to argue that her potential epilepsy diagnosis could be a result of her past substance use or affinity for hair dye, which have not been linked to causing epilepsy. While other well-known people like Obama advisor David Axelrod have tried to bring awareness to epilepsy, there is still a major lack of understanding of epilepsy among the general public.
That lack of awareness limits the impetus for funding scientists to look for help. While there has been coverage of electrical stimulation devices, the funding for epilepsy research stands at roughly $150 million whereas people living with HIV benefit from $3 billion in funding, even there are only half as many people with the infection. That leaves the most popular option for epilepsy treatment remaining with pills like Dilantin and Lamictal, which carry black box warnings for Stevens Johnson Syndrome side effects.
The autoimmune condition attacks the mucus membranes, including the esophagus and eyes. It is extremely painful and can lead to skin cells dying off in massive quantities if it progresses to toxic epidermal necrolysis. If there was more awareness of epilepsy to spur treatment research, sufferers might not have to face these risks if they had other treatment options available.
Whether it is from epilepsy drugs or a number of other drugs, Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are frightening for patients and loved ones. More importantly, even fewer people understand the problems and issues regarding these autoimmune disorders. Even doctors occasionally misdiagnose the condition as chicken pox or even the flu.
If you or someone you know dealt with these painful drug side effects, you may be eligible to pursue a legal claim against the drug’s manufacturer. Get a free consultation at the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Determining your eligibility to file a claim with the help of a Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit lawyer is the first step in the process of getting a potential jury award or settlement.
Updated March 25th, 2013
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